Method and apparatus for connecting tubes

ABSTRACT

A tube connection apparatus for use with larger diameter flexible tubing particularly for hazardous material removal comprising an outer tapered sleeve and an inner tapered sleeve that is sized to snugly fit within the outer tapered sleeve and to engage the flexible tubing therebetween. A retainer ring is provided to secure a second flexible tube to the outer tapered sleeve and a transportable wall section which holds the sleeves may be positioned in a passageway of a building and tubing from spaces on either side of the passageway be connected.

The applicant claims the benefit of the previously filed application, ofwhich this application is a division of, U.S. Ser. No. 08/538,443, filedOct. 3, 1995, which has since issued under U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,412.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a tube connector for larger diameter flexibletubing which is used in industrial applications for removing hazardouswaste materials including asbestos from buildings constructed in erasgone by.

There are many types of tube connectors known for various tubing.Moreover, there are make-shift field installations for larger diameterflexible tubing using spray adhesives, staples, and duct tape which thecurrent invention is designed to replace.

A representative tube connector is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,207,538issued in 1965 to Pattillo provides a clamp type connector for sheetmetal. Another design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,840 issued in 1960to Wiltse which utilizes a tube coupling having a reinforced seal andlocking rings. U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,350 issued in 1994 to Kolenbrandtet.al. discloses a tubing with two projecting members for joining and anundercut that receives a locking member of the tube. Unlike the instantinvention, Kolenbrandt et.al. is designed for attaching sockets to atube as opposed to joining tubes by a connector, as is taught by theinstant invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,910 issued in 1994 to Bailey discloses a hosefitting with ring holder having a conically shaped receiving end adaptedto receive a flexible hose with a shallow groove for storing an elasticring which secures the union. Also see U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,375 issued toFischer et.al. in 1986 for sheet metal duct system having a transverseflange and circumferential clipping means. Furthermore, of generalinterest are U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,070 issued to Sauer in 1984 for a hosecoupling involving an overlapping external collar with an elasticclamping means; U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,250 issued to Oetiker in 1975 for atubular hose connection and external clamping with overlapping tubularmembers and an external clamp ring.

See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,682 issued to Thorpe et.al. in 1977 forflexible ducting joint employing an arrangement of single ring andinterlocking pair of parallel rings with an external binder.

Some of the drawbacks of these designs are that they require tools forconnecting and are not designed to connect larger diameter (on the orderof magnitude of 12 inches) flexible tubing. They are limited in theiruse with standard cylindrical tubes with augmented nubs or flanges whichare utilized by some of the above patents to lock the tubing in placeand assembled tube connection apparatus is easily detachable for removaland disassembly.

To alleviate this problem, and others which will become apparent fromthe disclosure which follows, the present invention convenientlyconnects two sections of flexible tubing without the need for tools.

The citation of the foregoing publications is not an admission that anyparticular publication constitutes prior art, or that any publicationalone or in conjunction with others, renders unpatentable any pendingclaim of the present application. None of the cited publications isbelieved to detract from the patentability of the claimed invention.

ADVANTAGES OF THIS INVENTION

Unlike the foregoing devices which teach coupling devices that supportspecially fabricated tubing having nubs, recesses, and lockingstructures, the instant invention connects standard industrial largerdiameter tubing detachably without the need for tools.

The instant invention provides an efficient and convenient means ofdetachably connecting larger diameter tubing in the field for theremoval of hazardous material. Because the connection provided by thisinvention will not give way during use, as current systems with adhesiveand tape do, a safety advantage results.

Still other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure thatfollows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a tube connection apparatus for use withflexible tubing comprising an outer tapered sleeve and an inner taperedsleeve that is sized to snugly fit within the outer tapered sleeve andto engage the flexible tubing therebetween.

The present invention discloses an inner tapered sleeve having aproximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distalopening that is generally smaller than the proximal opening, and anouter tapered sleeve having a proximal end with a proximal opening and adistal end with a distal opening that is generally smaller than theproximal opening, the proximal end of the inner tapered sleeve having anoutside dimension that is larger than the distal opening of the outertapered sleeve, whereby, the distal end of the inner tapered sleeve maybe inserted into the proximal opening of the outer tapered sleeve andmoved in the direction of the distal end of the outer tapered sleeve toaffect a snug fit between at least a portion of an outer surface of theinner tapered sleeve and at least a portion of an inner surface of theouter tapered sleeve.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the inner tapered sleeve hasa generally conical shaped outer surface and the outer tapered sleevehas a generally conical shaped inner surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatusfor connecting tubes of the present invention showing two transparentflexible tubes connected to said apparatus including the supporting wallsection;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the outer tapered sleeve, theinner tapered sleeve and the ring;

FIG. 3 is a fragmented side elevation view taken along the line 3--3 ofFIG. 1 showing a first flexible tube disposed between the inner taperedsleeve and the outer tapered sleeve, and a second flexible tubeconnected to the outer tapered sleeve by a ring;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention showing a second flexible tube attached to the outer taperedsleeve with a ring;

FIG. 5 is a fragmented side elevation view taken along the line of 5--5of FIG. 4 showing details of the engagement of the outer tapered sleeve,the flexible tubing and the ring;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention showing a flexible tube secured between a portion of the outersurface of the inner tapered sleeve and a portion of the inner surfaceof the outer tapered sleeve with said outer tapered sleeve having astiffening ring disposed circumferentially; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmented side elevation view taken along the line of 7--7of FIG. 6 showing the engagement between a portion of the outer surfaceof the inner tapered sleeve engaged with a portion of the inner surfaceof the outer tapered sleeve with an end portion of the flexible tubedisposed therebetween.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Without departing from the generality of the invention disclosed hereinand without limiting the scope of the invention, the discussion thatfollows, will refer to the invention as depicted in the drawing.

The preferred embodiments depicted in the drawing include a tubeconnection apparatus 1 for use with flexible tubing 2. As best shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, one means for connecting comprises an outer taperedsleeve 16 and an inner tapered sleeve 8 that is sized to snugly fitwithin the outer tapered sleeve and to engage the flexible tubing 2therebetween. A second means for connecting comprises the outer taperedsleeve 16 having a flange 18 disposed on the rim 40 of the largeropening and a ring 10 adapted to engage the flange 18 with anotherflexible tubing 4 secured between the ring 10 and the flange 18, asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a wall section 6 which has at leastone aperture 42 sized to secure the outer tapered sleeve 16. The wallsection 6 may be secured within the passageway (such as a door or awindow) of a building, a vehicle or other structure having a wall withan opening, and the tubes from spaces on either side of the passagewaymay be connected.

Without departing from the generality of the invention disclosed herein,the wall section 6 may have a plurality of apertures 42, each of whichmay receive an outer tapered sleeve 16. The discussion that follows,without limiting the scope of the invention, will refer to the inventionas depicted in the drawing, showing an apparatus that will accommodatetwo flexible tubes. The invention relates to a tube connection apparatus1 for use with flexible tubing comprising an outer tapered sleeve 16 andan inner tapered sleeve 8 that is sized to snugly fit within the outertapered sleeve 16 and to engage the flexible tubing 2 therebetween. SeeFIGS. 6 and 7.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the tubeconnection apparatus wherein an inner tapered sleeve 8 having a proximalend 34 with a proximal opening 24 and a distal end 32 with a distalopening 26 that is generally smaller than the proximal opening 24 isrevealed, and an outer tapered sleeve 16 having a proximal end 30 with aproximal opening 20 and a distal end 28 with a distal opening 22 that isgenerally smaller than the proximal opening 20, the proximal end 34 ofthe inner tapered sleeve 8 having an outside diameter that is largerthan the distal opening 22 of the outer tapered sleeve 16. The distalend 32 of the inner tapered sleeve 8 may be inserted into the proximalopening 20 of the outer tapered sleeve 16 and moved in the direction ofthe distal end 28 of the outer tapered sleeve 16 to affect is a snug fitbetween at least a portion of an outer surface 44 of the inner taperedsleeve 8 and at least a portion of an inner surface 46 of the outertapered sleeve 16, as best shown in FIG. 7.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner tapered sleeve 8has a generally conical shaped outer surface 44 and the outer taperedsleeve 16 has a generally conical shaped inner surface 46, as best shownin FIGS. 3 and 7.

In a preferred embodiment of this important invention, a tube connectionapparatus 1 for use with at least one flexible tubing 2 comprising aninner tapered sleeve 8 having a proximal end 34 (proximal elements areconsistently located on the right side as shown in the drawing) with aproximal opening 24 and a distal end 32 with a distal opening 26 that issmaller than the proximal opening 24, and an outer tapered sleeve 16having a proximal end 30 with a proximal opening 20 and a distal end 28with a distal opening 22 that is smaller than the proximal opening 20,the proximal end 34 of the inner tapered sleeve 8 having an outsidedimension that is larger than the distal opening 22 of the outer taperedsleeve 16. In this way, a flexible tube 2 having a proximal end with aflow area larger than the distal opening 22 of the outer tapered sleeve16 may be lockingly secured between at least a portion of the outersurface 44 of the inner tapered sleeve 8 and at least a portion of theinner surface 46 of the outer tapered sleeve 16.

In a preferred embodiment of the tube connection apparatus 1, a flexibletube 2 having a proximal end with a flow area larger than the distalopening 22 of the outer tapered sleeve 16 may be driven through thedistal opening 22 of the outer tapered sleeve 16 and the distal end 32of the inner tapered sleeve 8 may be inserted into the proximal end 48of the flexible tube 2 and together moved in the direction of the distalend 28 of the outer tapered sleeve 16 to affect a snug fit with aproximal end portion of the flexible tube lockingly secured between atleast a portion of the outer surface 44 of the inner tapered sleeve 8and at least a portion of the inner surface 46 of the outer taperedsleeve 16.

In the best mode currently contemplated of the tube connection apparatus1, both the outer surface 44 of the inner tapered sleeve 8 and the innersurface 46 of the outer tapered sleeve 16 have a generally conicallyshape.

Referring to FIG. 7, at least one stiffening ring 38 may be disposed onan outer surface 50 of the outer sleeve 16 to provide strength andrigidity.

In a preferred embodiment of the tube connection apparatus, as shown inFIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, a means for connecting a second flexible tube 4 tothe proximal end 30 of the outer tapered sleeve 16 is disclosed. Anembodiment of which comprises a ring 10 adapted to securingly engage therim 40 of the proximal opening 20 of the outer tapered sleeve 16. Apreferred embodiment of such means comprises an outwardly radiatingflange 18 disposed on a rim 40 of the proximal opening 20 of the outertapered sleeve 16 and a ring 10 adapted to securingly engage the flange18.

In a preferred embodiment of the means for connecting a second flexibletube 4 to the proximal end 28 of the outer tapered sleeve 16, the meansmaintains the inner tapered sleeve 8 in the outer tapered sleeve 16.

In the best mode contemplated, the tube connection apparatus 1 willoperate most efficiently with a second flexible tubing 4 having adiameter of larger than the distal opening 22 of the outer taperedsleeve 16.

The tubing 2 will have a proximal end portion driven through the distalopening 22 of the outer tapered sleeve 16, and the distal end 32 of theinner tapered sleeve 8 may be inserted into an opening in the proximalend 48 of the flexible tube 2 and moved in the direction (to the left inthe drawing) of the distal end 28 of the outer tapered sleeve 16 toaffect a snug fit with the proximal end portion of the flexible tube 2lockingly secured between at least a portion of the outer surface 44 ofthe inner tapered sleeve 8 and at least a portion of the inner surface46 of the outer tapered sleeve 16.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the ring 10 has at least one stress releasorfor flexibly retaining a second flexible tubing 4 of selected wallthickness to the flange 18. The stress releasor of the ring 10 comprisesa partial slit 14 in an outer edge 12 of the ring 10 to allow the ringto expand over the flange 18 and the second flexible tubing 4.

Moreover, in a preferred embodiment of the invention for a tubeconnection apparatus, a transportable wall section 6 having at least oneaperture 42 adapted to receive a lateral section of the outer taperedsleeve 16 is disclosed. See FIGS. 1 and 3. The outer tapered sleeve maybe lodged in the aperture 42 of the wall section 6. As bestcontemplated, the wall section can be suitable sized to fit thepassageway of a building. Whereby, the wall section may be secured to apassageway in a building and a flexible tube on one side of thepassageway may be connected to a second flexible tube on the other sideof the passageway.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing the tubeconnection apparatus for use with at least one flexible tubing comprisesan inner tapered sleeve 8 having a generally conical shaped outersurface with a proximal end 34 with a proximal opening 24 and a distalend 32 with a distal opening 26 that is smaller than the proximalopening 24, an outer tapered sleeve 16 having a generally conical shapedouter surface with a proximal end 30 with a proximal opening 20 and adistal end 28 with a distal opening 22 that is smaller than the proximalopening 20. The proximal end 34 of the inner tapered sleeve 8 having anoutside dimension that is larger than the distal opening 22 of the outertapered sleeve 16.

Referring to FIG. 7, a flexible tube 2 having a proximal end 48 with aflow area larger than the distal opening 22 of the outer tapered sleeve16 may be lockingly secured between at least a portion of the outersurface 44 of the inner tapered sleeve 8 and at least a portion of theinner surface 46 of the outer tapered sleeve 16. At least one stiffeningring 38 disposed on an outer surface 50 of the outer sleeve 16 isdisclosed and a means for connecting a second flexible tube 4 to theproximal end 30 of the outer tapered sleeve 16 comprising an outwardlyradiating flange 18 disposed on a rim 40 of the proximal opening 20 ofthe outer tapered sleeve 16 and a ring 10 adapted to securingly engagethe flange 18, wherein the ring 10 maintains the inner tapered sleeve 8in the outer tapered sleeve 16 (i.e. the inner tapered sleeve cannot bewithdrawn), and wherein the ring 10 has at least one partial slit 14 inan outer edge 12 of the ring 10 to allow the ring to flexibly expandover the flange 18 and the second flexible tubing 4.

A transportable wall section 6 having at least one aperture 42 adaptedto receive a lateral section of the outer sleeve 16, the wall section 6being suitable sized to fit the passageway of a building. Whereby, thewall section may be secured to a passageway in a building and a flexibletube on one side of the passageway may be connected to a second flexibletube on the other side of the passageway.

A method for connecting flexible tubing is further disclosed comprisingthe steps of placing an end of a flexible tube having a flow area largerthan the smaller opening of an outer tapered sleeve in to the smalleropening of the outer tapered sleeve, inserting the smaller end of aninner tapered sleeve in to the larger opening of the outer taperedsleeve, and moving the inner tapered sleeve in the direction of thesmaller opening of the outer tapered sleeve until the flexible tube islockingly secured between at least a portion of the outer surface of theinner tapered sleeve and at least a portion of the inner surface of theouter tapered sleeve. See FIG. 7.

In a preferred embodiment of the above method for connecting twoflexible tubes, the following additional steps are inserting an end of asecond flexible tube into a ring that is adapted to securingly engagethe larger opening of the outer tapered sleeve, and engaging the ring tothe rim of the larger opening of the outer tapered sleeve with the endof the second flexible tube secured between the rim and the ring.

In another preferred embodiment of a method for connecting two flexibletubes is further disclosed comprising the steps of placing an end of aflexible tube having a flow area larger than the smaller opening of anouter tapered sleeve in to the smaller opening of the outer taperedsleeve, inserting the smaller end of an inner tapered sleeve in to thelarger opening of the outer tapered sleeve, and moving the inner taperedsleeve in the direction of the smaller opening of the outer taperedsleeve until the flexible tube is lockingly secured between at least aportion of the outer surface of the inner tapered sleeve and at least aportion of the inner surface of the outer tapered sleeve.

Additionally, the foregoing methods for connecting may further includethe following additional step of receiving a lateral section of theouter tapered sleeve in an aperture disposed in a transportable wallsection.

As previously mentioned the securing of the transportable wall sectionin a passageway in a building, a vehicle or other structure is alsodisclosed.

When the passageway is a door in a building, flexible tubes fromdifferent rooms may be connected. When the passageway is a window of abuilding, a flexible tube in the building may be connected with a secondflexible tube from outside of the building. Thus, a flexible tube on oneside of the passageway may be connected to a second flexible tube on theother side of the passageway.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon whichthis disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for thedesigning of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out theseveral purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore,that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructionsinsofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

While this invention has been described in connection with the best modepresently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out his invention,the preferred embodiments described and shown are for purposes ofillustration only, and are not to be construed as constituting anylimitations of the invention. Modifications will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art, and all modifications that do not depart from thespirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope ofthe appended claims.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part ofthis disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, itsoperating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

The wall section can be constructed from any suitable material ofconstruction which can support the tube connection apparatus, associatedflexible tubing and the flow of fluid therethrough.

The tube connection apparatus can be made from a high densitypolyethylene industrial can of the type made by Ropak Corporation ofCalifornia that has a lid and a generally conical sidewall taperinginwardly from a top rim having an outwardly radiating flange to a bottomsurface. The inner tapered sleeve is a bottom portion of the industrialcan after laterally cutting said bottom portion from the industrial canand removing said bottom surface. The outer tapered sleeve is theremaining conical portion of the industrial can with the bottom portionremoved. The bottom end of the inner tapered sleeve may be inserted intoa top opening defined by the top rim of the outer tapered sleeve andmoved in the direction of the opposite end of the outer tapered sleeveto affect a snug fit between at least a portion of an outer surface ofthe inner tapered sleeve and at least a portion of an inner surface ofthe outer tapered sleeve.

Furthermore, the means for connecting a second flexible tube to theproximal end of the outer tapered sleeve comprises the outwardlyradiating flange disposed on the top rim of the outer tapered sleeve anda ring made from the lid after cutting away a central portion of saidlid and further cutting at least one partial slit in an outer edge ofthe ring to allow said ring to flexibly expand over the flange and thesecond flexible tubing.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by LettersPatent of the United States is as follows:
 1. A tube connectionapparatus made from an industrial can that has a lid and a generallyconical sidewall tapering inwardly from a top rim having an outwardlyradiating flange to a bottom surface for use with at least one flexibletubing comprising:a. a bottom portion of the industrial can with thebottom surface removed forming an inner tapered sleeve having a proximalend with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distal opening thatis smaller than the proximal opening; and b. the remaining conicalportion of the industrial can forming an outer tapered sleeve having aproximal end with a proximal opening and a distal end with a distalopening that is smaller than the proximal opening, said proximal end ofthe inner tapered sleeve having an outside dimension that is larger thanthe distal opening of the outer tapered sleeve, the bottom end of theinner tapered sleeve being inserted into a top opening defined by thetop rim of the outer tapered sleeve and moved in the direction of theopposite end of the outer tapered sleeve to affect a snug fit between atleast a portion of an outer surface of the inner tapered sleeve and atleast a portion of an inner surface of the outer tapered sleeve, and theat least one flexible tubing comprises a flexible tube having a proximalend with a flow area larger than the distal opening of the outer taperedsleeve that passes over the distal end of the inner tapered sleeve whichis lockingly secured between at least a portion of the outer surface ofthe inner tapered sleeve and at least a portion of the inner surface ofthe outer tapered sleeve and said flexible tube extends outwardly fromthe distal end of the outer tapered sleeve which is snugly fit to theinner tapered sleeve.
 2. The tube connection apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a means for connecting a second flexible tube to theproximal end of the outer tapered sleeve comprising the outwardlyradiating flange disposed on the top rim of the outer tapered sleeve andthe lid with a central portion of said lid removed forming a ring,saidring having at least one partial slit in an outer edge of the ring toallow said ring to flexibly expand over the flange and the secondflexible tubing disposed therebetween.